Shipment held by BOC: Ceramic tiles found in 24 container vans

CEBU, Philippines — Twenty-four more vans believed to contain smuggled rice from China were opened yesterday by the Bureau of Customs and found to contain ceramic tiles.

The 24 were part of the 71 containers held at the Port of Cebu because of alleged misdeclaration. Deputy Customs Collector for operations Rico Rey Francis Holganza said 26 more containers will be opened today in the presence of representatives from the Office of the Commissioner.

Customs officials initially found 14 out of 71 containers consigned to Seven Myth Marketing located at Room 1202 D. Palanca Compound, General Luna Street, Ermita, Manila and Rainbow Horizons Enterprise located at Rm. 448-A, 4/F Regina Building containing smuggled rice.

 BOC Cebu district collector Wivina Pumatong said she will issue a Warrant of Seizure and Detention against the shipment as soon as all the 71 containers are opened.

 "If the ceramic tiles shipment is being used to conceal the rice shipment, then all shipments will be forfeited in favor of the government even if the ceramic tiles are being declared," said Pumatong.

The shipment arrived from China at the Port of Cebu last November 27, 29, and 30 and on December 3.

Customs Commissioner Isidro Lapeña, who was in Cebu the other day to open some of the containers, warned smugglers to stop their illegal activities. He vowed to catch them as soon as possible. (FREEMAN)